Zoe gave him a serious look. “I think, if you can find the owner, I can offer them a place on the illustration course. If they want it.”
“Without a portfolio?” That was a standard requirement for applying for entry.
“This is a portfolio, Duncan. Are you planning to mentor this person?”
“I don’t do that anymore.” But the words sounded false to his ears.
Zoe heard it too. “The same way you don’t teach anymore?” She gave him a smug smile. “I knew you wouldn’t stay in your enforced retirement forever. You have no idea how pleased I was to get your email. You need to share your talent with the world, not only through your paintings but through your teaching too.”
“Which reminds me, I’m confused. You asked me to come lecture. I didn’t ask you.”
“Initially, yes. But you were the one who contacted me about today.”
Just then, Madeline distracted him by getting up from the table to take a photo of them all from halfway across the room. When she came back, she read her caption aloud again, “Great food. Great company. Hashtag happy.”
Gordon rolled his eyes, and before Duncan could pursue the matter of who had asked whom to lecture, the waiter came to take their order.
“Are you on Instagram?” Madeline asked as the waiter poured her wine.
“No.” Duncan shook his head when it was his turn to have his glass filled.
“Oh, but you have to be,” she gushed. “You can’t get anywhere these days without a social media presence. I can help you if you’d like.”
“That’s what Maddie does,” Zoe said. “She’s a social media consultant.”
Madeline pointed at her own face. “Hashtag connected,” she said, then laughed like that was hilarious.
“I don’t need a social media presence,” Duncan said, hoping to shut her down. Reminding himself of the times Donna had drummed into him that he had to be polite, he added a “thanks” to his statement.
“Oh, but you do.” She flicked her black hair over her shoulder. “How will people hear about you if you don’t? It’s the only way to increase your profile.”
“Maddie,” Zoe said patiently, “Duncan’s in every modern art book they publish. His profile is as good as it gets.”
“I forgot.” She laughed. “Still, the consumer likes to feel connected to a brand. You should interact with your fans.”
Consumer? Brand? Fans? Duncan looked at Gordon for help, but the man was just chugging back the wine. He wished Donna were with them. She would have found the humour in the situation and helped him to find it too. Without her, he just wanted to be rude and get up and leave. But he didn’t. Because he knew she would be disappointed in him. Although, he was tempted to get Madeline to send her some ‘hashtag’ messages to include her in the irritation he felt.
The starters arrived, and Madeline promptly took photos of everything and posted the pictures online.
“Do you ever Google yourself, Duncan?” she asked as she nibbled at her salad.
The sight of her eating reminded him that Donna would never have ordered a salad. She would have gone straight for the deep-fried mozzarella sticks and bread. Then she would have talked him into sharing his food too if he hadn’t eaten it all before she’d finished.
“Google yourself?” Gordon said with a laugh. “That sounds rude.”
“That’s enough wine for you, dear.” Zoe confiscated the bottle.
“No,” Duncan said. “I don’t. I already know who I am.”
“Oh, but you should.” She tapped at her phone. “Look, there’s lots about you on here.” She scrolled. “There’s your work. Your past relationships. Your home. Gosh, it looks pretty! It’s so nice of you to let all those people use it for their fundraiser.”
He stilled then slowly turned to her, but she wasn’t paying attention.
“I’ll send a message from you, shall I? Telling them to have fun. It will make people think you’re a generous man, prone to philanthropy. That’s always good for your image.”
“What people?” Duncan said evenly.
Zoe stopped with her wine glass halfway to her mouth, before placing it back on the table.